Ebchester-Roman-Fort on Dere St
Ebchester Roman Fort is on Dere St, about 10 miles South East of Corbridge and about 7 mile North West of the Roman Fort at Lanchester (measured along Dere St). Almost no remains are visible as the modern village has been built over the fort
Ebchester Roman Fort Diagram
Although the fort has been excavated 9 times little of their results are easily retrieved. The above diagram, which cannot be verified, shows a standard fort with barracks in the north, granaries and workshops in the centre west, a HQ building in the centre and the commander’s house in the centre east. The configuration of the south west fort is less clear to identify.
History
The fort was situated in County Durham south of River Derwent and guarded the crossing it looks down on the river from knoll to the East .It was unusually 400ft square, just under 4 acres in area. The site was occupied in 2 phrases:
- AD 69/A117 this covers the period from the beginning of the Roman occupation to the start of Hadrian’s reign made of turf with a wooden palisade.
- From circa AD 150 to the end of 4th century, this stone fort was built by the 5th cohort of a legion; the problem is the legion was not identified.
Read more about the historical background HERE
Ebchester Roman Fort aerial view
The garrison in the 3rd century was The Fourth Cohort of the Breuci: Antonine’s Own, Cohors IV Breucorum were a five-hundred strong infantry regiment originally levied from amongst the Breuci tribe, natives of the Bosna valley in north-eastern Bosnia-Herzegovina.
There was a civil settlement, although details are not available.
Click on the altar to see the inscriptions found at Ebchester.
Ebchester-Roman-Fort-looking-up-to-where-the-North-wall-was-located
The local community have not embraced their Roman heritage, perhaps it’s too close to home. I.e. the ruins cause problems for extensions and buildings.
One of the most unloved forts in the area.